By Isreal Adamu, Jos
The North-Central All Progressives Congress, APC, Forum has warned Secretary to Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, to desist from attacks on Benue State Governor, Rev. Hyacinth Alia.
In a statement released on Saturday night after a meeting in Abuja, the North-Central APC Forum accused Akume of using proxies, including faceless groups, to launch media attacks on Alia.
The North-Central APC Forum, in the statement signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, further warned that Akume’s moves to undermine Alia could affect the chances of the party in the state in the 2027 election.
Warning that APC can’t afford to lose Benue, the Forum noted that Akume should be blamed if history repeats itself and Alia decides to leave the APC for another party, like his predecessor, Samuel Ortom.
Ortom was elected on the platform of the APC but eventually defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The North-Central APC Forum said it decided to speak out on the situation in the Benue chapter of the party because of the concern expressed by its members as genuine, well-meaning stakeholders of the APC and the zone.
According to the Forum, Akume’s actions have undermined the unity of the APC in the North-Central.
The Forum also observed that Alia is performing well as Benue State governor, stressing that he should be allowed to continue delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state without distractions.
“The North-Central APC Forum has observed with concern unrelenting attacks on Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume. The sustained media attacks, orchestrated through proxies and faceless groups, is aimed at undermining Governor Alia, and making it difficult for him to effectively govern the state.
“As stakeholders, the North-Central APC Forum is warning the SGF, Senator George Akume, to stop further attacks on Governor Alia. The attacks on the Governor can destabilize the APC in Benue State and the entire North-Central. We do not want that.
“The North-Central APC Forum is worried because the crisis which the SGF has instigated in Benue State, if not brought under control immediately, can affect the chances of the APC in the state in the 2027 election. The SGF should be held responsible if APC loses Benue State in the next election.
“The North-Central APC Forum is also warning that, should history repeats itself, and Governor Alia defects to another party, like former Governor Samuel Ortom, who was elected on APC platform but left for the PDP, the SGF, Senator George Akume, should be blamed.
“APC cannot afford to lose Benue State, neither can the party afford to lose Governor Hyacinth Alia who has been performing well in office. The SGF and his attack dogs should not distract the governor from delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Benue State.”
Expressing concern over the reported attack on Governor Alia by thugs and security personnel attached to the SGF during the burial of late elder statesman, Wantaregh Paul Unongo, the North-Central APC Forum urged President Bola Tinubu to call Akume to order.
Speaking of the alleged attack, the North-Central APC Forum restated the call made by the Secretary of the Benue APC Youth Wing, Apostle Thomas Ikyange, who said Akume should resign from his position as the SGF and relocate to Benue State since he is very interested in local politics.
The North-Central APC Forum, which had earlier accused the SGF of lopsided appointments, said it was unfortunate that Akume has refused to heed its call on him to carry the entire North-Central along and stand as the leader of the zone, instead of favouring only his Tiv people of Benue State.
“It is unfortunate that the SGF Senator George Akume has failed to heed the advice of stakeholders who urged him to desist from lopsided appointments, and carry the entire North-Central along. Instead of making the necessary adjustments, he has continued to concentrate all efforts on Benue State, trying to undermine the governor.
“The North-Central APC Forum restates the call on the SGF to unite the party in the zone and carry the entire North-Central along. Senator Akume should desist from lopsided appointments and all other parochial inclinations, including interfering in the governance of Benue State.
“If Senator George Akume is concentrating on his job as the SGF, he would not have the time to fight the Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia.”
The Forum noted that the Office of the SGF has not been discharging its functions effectively due to Akume’s obsession with Governor Alia.
“President Bola Tinubu should immediately replace the SGF is he is not ready to concentrate on the task. We also advise Senator George Akume to resign if he is not ready to give the Office of the SGF the attention it requires.
“President Bola Tinubu is working very hard to address all the challenges facing the country and it is very important that all his appointees, moreso the SGF, should be committed to the task.”
The North-Central APC Forum further warned that it would mobilize massive protests across the zone to demand Akume’s sack as SGF, if he does not stop attacking Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State.
